Los Angeles, California - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued the following statement on the deaths of Tulare County Sheriff's Deputy Scott Ballantyne and Pilot James Chavez, who were killed in the line of duty:

"On behalf of the California Department of Justice, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of Deputy Scott Ballantyne and pilot James Chavez.  I also extend my condolences to Sheriff Mike Boudreaux and the entire Tulare County Sheriff's Office, which has not only lost two colleagues but two family members.  Their dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice for the County of Tulare and State of California will never be forgotten."